From the Moraga PD:
JAMES JOSHUA JARRARD, the suspect identified in recent crimes committed in Moraga and Lafayette faces criminal charges filed by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. Jarrard is charged with Vehicle Theft (VC 10851(a)), two charges of First Degree Residential Burglary (PC 459/460(a)), one charge of Possessing Stolen Property (PC 496), and misdemeanor resisting arrest (PC 148(a)(1)).
The charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Lafayette and Moraga Police Departments stemming from a series of crimes committed on 08-06-2013. The series of crimes began shortly after 6:00 AM with the theft of a Moraga citizen’s Honda Civic from the front of his residence. A Moraga Police Officer spotted the car on northbound Moraga Rd., just moments after it was reported stolen. After a brief pursuit, Jarrard lost control of the Honda and crashed into a cinderblock wall located at the intersection of Moraga Rd and Rheem Blvd., in Moraga. Jarrard fled the crash scene on foot into a nearby shopping center and ran into the 24 Hour Fitness. Jarrard then ran through the gym and out a rear door before scaling a fence and fleeing into the Carroll Ranch neighborhood. Jarrard eluded officers, including two K9’s from the CCC Sheriff’s Office, initially by hiding in an occupied residence on Dolores Ct. He was quickly discovered by a resident, and then fled to hide in another occupied residence on Josefa Pl., where he remained for some time unbeknownst to the female resident. Jarrard stole several items from the second residence including a change of clothes. Officers continued to search the area for Jarrard, but he was not spotted again until early in the afternoon when he was seen entering the back yard of a Solana Dr. residence in Lafayette. Jarrard burglarized that home and was seen fleeing the area on a child’s bicycle.
Jarrard was identified as the suspect after a security camera photograph from 24 Hour Fitness was circulated to surrounding police agencies. A Walnut Creek Detective recognized Jarrard and advised Moraga and Lafayette investigators. Several eye witnesses identified Jarrard from a police photo lineup and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Jarrard was arrested on other outstanding felony charges by Concord PD after a pursuit in Concord, and the Moraga and Lafayette charges were added. Jarrard’s bail for the Moraga-Lafayette charges is set at $198,000.00. Jarrard is still in custody awaiting trial.
An unidentified accomplice of Jarrard’s is still outstanding and police are asking the public for any information. Please contact Moraga Police Detective Will Davis at 925-888-7057 with any information about these crimes.
